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Hospital infection strategies are often geared more towards responding to microorganism or endemic pathogens, with bioterrorism lower on the list of concerns. Yet, healthcare workers are often the first responders in the event of a bioterrorism attack. Further investment in preparedness, awareness, and training can greatly reduce the mortality rate, and economic impact in the event of a bioterrorist attack.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as “superbugs” killed nearly 700,000 people last year, and research shows that antibiotic-resistant superbugs on are on track to kill more people than cancer (10 million) by 2050 while costing healthcare facilities an average of $2 billion per year.

Rapid response and an effective containment strategy is the key to infection prevention and spread of the superbugs between patients, healthcare staff, and the community. When superbugs are detected, being prepared to take aggressive and effective action can keep germs with resistance from spreading.

Infectious disease outbreaks are a well-recognized complication of construction or renovation work in healthcare facilities. As facilities will continue to require these projects, so will the subsequent challenges of protecting patients and staff.

By implementing an effective temporary containment protocol, the level of dust decreases along with other materials generated by projects that can spread and harm susceptible patients. Facilities should partner with highly skilled ICRA Class III-IV trained contractors that have experience in high-risk environments and the installation and management of proper barrier systems.

The goal of infection control and pandemic preparedness is to reduce transmission, decrease hospital admissions, and lessen the negative economic and social impact of an outbreak in support of population health. As a response to the recent Ebola outbreak, many US hospitals were driven to prepare for the admission of Ebola patients as the CDC designated Ebola assessment hospitals. Not only were they required to admit patients, but they also had to transport patients. Emergency Preparedness Directors were responsible for identifying contained clean areas for not only patient assessment but also for designated assessment tools and equipment such as temporary containment and disinfection/sterilization products.

For hospitals to maintain essential services during a public health emergency, the importance of pre-event planning cannot be underestimated. Medical countermeasures (MCMs) should be in place. Developing and prepositioning MCMs is imperative to ensure their efficient and rapid deployment in the event of an emerging infectious disease.

MCMs can include biological products such as vaccines, antibodies, and blood products, a supply of antimicrobial and antiviral drugs, and a wide range of devices such as the essential diagnostic tests to identify threat agents or disease, and the necessary protective equipment such as gloves, respirators (face masks), ventilators, and isolation units. Another effective MCM would be to have modular wall equipment on hand for rapid deployment of containment.